Cycling Legend Eddy Merckx Celebrates 80th Birthday: Discussing the Case for Merckx as the Best Cyclist Ever
Uncensored Take on Eddy Merckx: The Cannibal of Cycling
Known as 'the Cannibal' for his insatiable hunger for victories, Eddy Merckx reigned supreme in the cycling world, smashing records and defying expectations throughout his 18-year professional career.
Competing in various sports as a child, Merckx found himself drawn to cycling after initially dabbling in tennis and soccer. He began racing as a teenager and after winning his first race at 16, there was no stopping him. At just 17, he clinched the national amateur title in the road race and went on to represent Belgium at the Olympic Games in 1964.
Merckx embarked on his professional journey in 1965, winning races consistently. His big break came in 1966, when, riding for Peugeot-BP-Michelin, he claimed victory in Milan-San Remo - just the first of many one-day races he would dominate. He then switched to Faema and captured his first Grand Tour title with a Giro d'Italia win in 1967, setting the stage for his unprecedented success.
Merckx unleashed his full potential in 1969, accomplishing a rare feat by winning both the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France in the same year. These victories, along with his subsequent wins in 1970, 1971, and 1972, further solidified his position as cycling royalty. In addition to his five Tour de France wins, Merckx also claimed the Giro d'Italia four more times, the Vuelta a España once, and the Points, King of the Mountains, and Combination classifications at the Tour de France more times than any other rider[1].
Enrichment Data: Merckx won a total of 525 races in his 18-year professional career, the most by any cyclist in history[1][3]. His wins include 11 Grand Tours overall, five Tour de France titles, four more Giro d'Italia successes, and a victory in the Vuelta a España. Beyond his Tour de France achievements, Merckx dominated other major races as well, winning various one-day classics such as Milan-San Remo, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and Il Lombardia multiple times.[2][3]
Despite retiring from professional racing in 1978, Merckx never truly stepped away from the world of cycling. He launched the Eddy Merckx bike brand, managed the Tour of Flanders, and played a role in organizing the Tour of Qatar. Tragically, one race that eluded him was the Olympic Games, as professionals were not allowed to compete during his time.[4]
Over his career, Merckx climbed the highest pedestals of cycling success, and his achievements go far beyond his Tour de France victories. He won an impressive number of races, dominated multiple disciplines, and remains the only rider to have won all five Monuments more than once, as well as the rare triple crown of Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, and UCI Road World Championships in the same year.[5]
Eddy Merckx: The name synonymous with cycling greatness, a true testament to unwavering dedication and relentless ambition. As he celebrates his 80th birthday, the cycling world continues to remember and honor the indomitable spirit of 'the Cannibal.'
Enrichment Data:
- Merckx is the first and only rider to have won all five Monuments more than once, setting the standard for cycling dominance.[3]
- Merckx won three elite UCI Road World Championships (1967, 1971, and 1974) and also the amateur World Championship in 1964.[1][2][3]
- Merckx set a new hour record in October 1972, extending the previous record by nearly 800 meters.[1]
- With 34 stage wins at the Tour de France, Merckx was surpassed by British sprinter Mark Cavendish in 2024.[2]
- Merckx won the Giro di Lombardia on eight separate occasions, an unmatched achievement.[1]
Sports are not just about running, jumping, or throwing; they're about determination and triumph, as exemplified in road cycling. Eddy Merckx, a sports legend, reigning supreme in the cycling world, is a testament to this fact.
